Saratoga County weighing new sheriff colors

Motorists this year could start seeing black and gold vehicles driven by Saratoga County sheriff’s deputies.

Sheriff Michael Zurlo showed off the new designs, which feature reflective markings that are visible at night, to the county Public Safety Committee on Tuesday. He said the department will officially decide this week to change from its existing white cars with red lettering to black cars with gold, reflective stripes and lettering. The department would replace its more than 40 red and white Chevy Impalas in annual cycles, starting with 11 this year. There is no additional cost, Zurlo said.

“We’re looking at it as a safety measure for the guys at night,” Zurlo said. “A lot of sheriff’s have gone with gold stripping. It’s reflective, more visible.”

County cop cars have been red and white since the early 1990s, said Philip Barrett, chairman of the county’s Public Safety Committee. He likened the black and gold design to vehicles used by State Troopers. No county vote is required as there is no expenditure, Barrett said. “There’s value in having reflective lettering and striping from a safety standpoint,” Barrett said.

Another step in the militarization of local police forces. If the they’re adding gold because it’s “more visible”, as Zurlo suggests, why not keep the white vehicles and simply replace the red with gold, or simply incorporate gold into the vehicle insignia along with the red? The white car is going to offer far more visibility then black car.

It’s more of what’s wrong with the mindset in law enforcement. Get back to white cars and blue uniforms and create a safe and secure atmosphere for the citizens these people are paid to serve and protect.

@not 1/2moon proud. What you seem to be missing is that the colors DO matter. Colors are going to spark natural, subconscious reactions from people. The traditional, lighter color scheme has been proven to best represent the peace and calm an officer of the law is supposes to represent. The darker uniforms are intended to be more intimidating, and elicit emotions of hostility and aggression.

You can check out some good info on the subject at the link below if you’re so inclined, and there’s plenty of similar articles out there.

At our next “emergency” let’s all imagine the State Police arriving with their dark blue/gold lettering, and then the Sheriff’s arrive with their black cars with gold lettering, and then the city police (Saratoga) arrive with their black cars and white lettering.
?
Y’all take it from thar.
I agree Death Wish guy, white is more visible.